Rotary switch



Aug. 24, 1948. R. R. slMPsoN ROTARY SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.25, 1946 R. R. SIMPSON ROTARY SWITCH Aug. 24, 1948.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 25, 1946 Patented Aug. 24, 1948 ROTARYSWITCH Bay B.. Simplon, River Forest, Ill., assigner to Simplon ElectricCompany, Chicago, Ill., .a corporation of Illinois Anuman october 25,194s, serial No. '105,623

' 4 claim. (ci. 20o-11) 'I he present invention relates to rotaryswitches, and is -particularly concernedwith lswitches of thetype'having multiple contacts and' snap means for retaining the switchin any o! its predetermined positions.

The multiple contact switches of the prior art of this type involve aconsiderable amount of labor, inasmuch as each of the contacts must beriveted or otherwise secured to a suitable base, such as a,resin-impregnated insulating board-,in the devicesoi the prior art. Forexample, such a switch constructed according to the methods of the priorart would involve the separate handling of eighteen contacts on onecontact plate and from one to three, or more, on the other.

Furthermore, in the devices of the prior art it is diiicult to securethe contacts in a relatively permanent way. as the rivets sometimesbecome loose, and one of the objects of the invention is the provisionof an improved rotary switch of the multiple contact type in which allof the ycontacts may be simultaneously mounted and secured at the sametime, so as to eliminate much of the labor and the time-consumingoperations involved in making the devices of the prior art.

Another object of the -invention is the provision of a multiple contactrotary switch in which the contacts are more firmly secured, and whichmay be constructed with any number of its contacts separated or tiedtogether byan .electrical connection, thus eliminating the necessity foreffecting electrical connections at other points when contacts should betied together. l

Another object of theinvention is the provision of an improved rotaryswitch structure which is adapted to keep the contacts constantly in abright and shining good-contact condition, due to the wiping actionwhich is involved in the moving contact passing over the xedcontacts,.and due to the resilient character of the contact engagement.

Another object of the invention is the provisionv of an improved rotaryswitch structure which is simple, capable of economical manufacture,which has alminimum numberoi parts to be assembled, and which has a snapaction so that contacts are quickly broken and quickly made.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved switchconstruction which is dustproof, and the mechanism, such as the contactsand switch, is so enclosed that it permits the more satisfactory use ofa lubricant whenever it is required, and also avoids the catching ofdust by the lubricant.`

Another object of the invention is the provision 0f an improved switchconstruction in which there is no possibility of loose-parts becominglodged in the switching mechanism or becoming damaged in the handling,processing, repairing, servicing, etc.. and in which all of thecontact-making parts are shielded by a suitable housing so that they areprotected against damage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved lmethodof making electric` switches and, in particular, of the handling of themultiple fixed contacts, which is equally adaptable to a construction inwhich the contacts are secured by being embedded in a molded part, or inwhich the contacts are riveted or otherwise secured to an insulatingsupport.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a rotary switch embodying theinvention, mounted upon a panel.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a fragment of the panelt'aken on theplane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,looking in the direction of the arrowsl showing the snap mechanism andthe structure of the housing.

Fig. 4 is `a Isectional view taken on the plane o! the line 4-4 of Fig.2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5 5 of Fig. 2,looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the multiple contactplate.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, vIll indicates, in its entirety. a rotaryswitch embodying the invention, which is mounted upon a panel II andprovided with an actuating knob I2. The present rotary switch preferablyincludes a base member I3, an indexer il, a common contact plate I5. amultiple contact plate I6, and anvoperating shaft I1 which carries amovable contact rotor IB.

'I'he housing or base member I3 may consist of a molded insulatingmember of substantially cylindrical form, which has its end wall I9provided with a metal bushing 20 adapted to serve as a bearing for theshaft I1. Bushing 20 is formed with a radially extending flange 2|having a peripheral groove 22 by means of which this face 2?! of whichis cylindrical. The inner sur- 4 :face of the side wall 2t is alsocylindrical at the peints 2t, als and 3d, but is formed withenlargements between these points for housing .the springs 3i and thesteel balls 32 which serve as a snap mechanism and also for retainingthe switch in any of its predetermined positions.

The enlargements of the side wall 2s are formed with the elongatedrecesses 33 which are bounded by the side wall on the outside and byoppositely extending flanges 34 and 35 on the inside.

Inside the recesses the inner side of the Wall, indicated at 36, isagain cylindrical, providing space for the outwardly bowed springs 3i.The ends cf the springs 3i are preferably received in rectangularsockets 31, 38 which are substantially as deep as the width of thesprings.

The sockets 37 and 38 are located tp engage the ends of the springs whenthe springs are suit-ably bowed, but there is sumcient clearance at theends of the springs to permit the springs to straighten out slightlywhen the balls 32 move into the grooves or recesses on the indexer. Theopposed retaining flanges 3d, 35 serve as guides for the ball 32, andmay have plane end surfaces 39, 40 spaced from each other suflicientlyto receiveA the ball 32.

The springs 3i may comprise a plurality, such as, for example, four, ormore, or less, of leaf springs, which are initially deformed tosubstantially the shape shown in Fig. 3, but have to be bowed stillfarther to insert the balls 32 and place them under predetermined radialpressure. The springs 3| may be made of any suitable material, such asclock spring steel or Phosphor bronze, or the like.

In order to balance the pressure which is placed upon the shaft and itsrotating parts by the springs 3|, three such spring and ball assembliesare preferably provided and located at three equally spaced points aboutthe periphery of the base I3. The base I3 is also preferably providedwith an arcuate slot 4I which may be rectangular in shape andsubstantially annular, except that the slot is closed by a wall 42 atone side of the housing I3, the wall serving as a stop which is toprevent further rotation of the rotary switch beyond its initialposition.v

The indexer I4 may consist of a molded insulating member which issubstantially cylindrical in form, having a pair of plane sides 43 and44, but its periphery 45 is formed with a plurality of grooves 46 andpartially cylindrical projections 41 somewhat in the nature of scallops.The grooves 46 serve as indexing positions into which the balls 32simultaneously move when the rotary switch has its movable contactengaging a fixed contact.

The partially cylindrical projections 41 between the grooves 46 serve ascamming shoulders to cam the balls 32 outward when the switch isvturned, and also to permit the balls to cam the switch onward in itsrotary action due to the tendency of all of the balls to move into thenext s""oove.

The top of each hp di on the indexer ld provides an unstable positionfor the balls 32 .trom which the indexerv tends to move into the nextswitch position. it its center the indexer is is formed with an apertureiis which may be substantially cylindrical, but has attened sides d@corresponding to the shape of the end portion Eil of the shaft withwhich the indexer is intended to turn.

The number of grooves and ridges on the indexer iii may each correspondto the number of switch positions, and the size oi' these grooves andridges is such that all oi the balls 32 move simultaneously into groovesas the indexer is turned.

The actuating knob i2, base it, indexer i6, common contact plate It, andmultiple contact plate It may all be formed out of a phenoliccondensation compound, which is molded by the applicat'ion of heat andpressure, or they may be formed out oi any initially plastic andmoldable insulating resin.

The indexer I4 also supports a stop member li which may consist of asubstantially cylindrical metal body having a reduced cylindricalportion E2 projecting axially from the indexer I4 in a position to movein the slot 4I which is concentric with respect to the axis of the shaftI1. The body-of the stop member 5I preferably has a peripherailyextending groove 33 which serves to anchor this stop member in the mold.

When the switch is in its initial position, such as position No. 1, thestop member 5I engages one side oi the wail 42. When it reaches itsfinal position I8 the stop member engages the other side of the wall42-in the slot 4|. l

The shaft 50 may consist of a substantially cylindrical metal rod madeof any suitable material, such as steel, cadmium plated, having aVcylindrical bearing portion 54 and the flattened portion 50.

At each end oi'the cylindrical bearing portion there is a groove 55, 56which may be of rectangular cross-section for receiving a split springring 51, 58 which may nt in the groove, and may have a projectingrectangular portion adapted to serve as a thrust surface. Thus the splitrings 51, 5I are adapted to engage the ends of the bushing 20 and toprevent axial movement oi the shaft I1.

The inner cylindrical surface 59 of the bushing serves as a. bearing forthe cylindrical portion 54 of shaft I1. The shaft is preferably providedwith an actuating member, such as the knob I2, which may also be made ofmolded insulating material. Knob I2 may'have a substantially circularbody with a cylindrical outer edge 6I and a frusta-conical top surfacel2.

'I'he body 60 supports an integral pointer member 63, also serving as ahandle. and consistingv of a relatively thick flange which projectsaxially from the body 60 and also extends radially beyond the edge 8i atthe pointer end 64 and at the handle end 65. The handle end of the knobI2 may have the opposed plane sides I6 and 61 which are parallel to eachother, and which terminate in a plane end surface 83. This portion ofthe-flange 83 may be grasped by the ngers, and its top surface Blmayalso be plane.

The pointer end u of this body may have the two side surfaces 1l and 1Itaper toward each other and toward a blunt point 12.

The body 30 is formed with an axial cylindrical bore 13 for receivingthe end of the shaft I 1, and this bore 13 may extend up into the flange63 where it communicates with a. threaded bore 14 aurais 5 extendinginwardly from the end surface Il. A set screw 1l in the threaded bore 14is adapted to engage the shaft I1 and secure the knob I2 on the shaft.

In order to provide a still more accurate and dennite indicia on .thepointer, the pointer is preferably provided with an embedded strip ofmetal 1I. When the knob I2 is molded of black material, the metal strip10, for example, may be made of a silvery color, such as a steel oraluminum strip.

The strip 10 is preferably quite narrow, as it acts as the sharpest pantof .the pointer, and it extends across the wide rear portion of ltheflange .Il and down a sloping surface 'I1 of the pointer end 04 andterminates at the bottom 10 of the knob I2. Such a strip may be ofsubstantially uniform width, except -that it is preferably provided withtwo or more enlargements 19 which may be apertured so that the moldedmaterial will ow through the apertures [to anchor the strip in place.

The strip 10 preferably projects outwardly from the knob I2 by a uniformamount, and it thus serves as an accurate indicium .to be lined up withthe switch indicating positions which are indicated on the dial by thenumerals I I andthe dots or small circles 02.

'Ihe conical portion 02 of the knob body 0I may also have a plurality ofradially extending ribs 83 serving. in some cases, as additionalindicia. y

The common contact plate I also comprises a molded insulating memberwhich is circular in shape, its outer edge 04 being cylindrical and ofthe same size as the outer edge 21 of the base I9. This common contactplate is illustrated best in Figs. 2 and 4. It has a plane surface 05 onthe side toward the indexer I4, and on its other side it is formed witha shallow cylindrical recess- 06 adapted to receive one of the halves 01or' the rotor I0.

The common contact plate I9 is also formed with a larger concentricshallow cylindrical recess 00 which has an annular surface '09surrounding .the recess ll. Seated in the annular recess 99 there is acontact ring 90 comprising an annular metal member oi suitablema-terial, such as copper, having a circular outer edge 9| (Fig. 4) anda circular inner edge 02.

The contact ring 90 may carry one or more radially extending contacts92, 94, 95, which form an integral part of the ring 90. These contacts93-95 comprise radially extending strips of the same metal, which arelong enough .to project beyond the edge wall 94 of the common contactplate I0, leaving an outwardly projecting portion which may have an ovalaperture 96 for each contact.

In many cases it will only be necessary that this common contact haveonly one terminal 93, 94 or 95, and the other terminals may be cut off,but in other cases connections may be made simultaneously to threecircuits utilizing all of the contacts 93-95.

The ring 90, with its contacts 9-9-95, may be secured to the commoncontact plate I5 by being molded in this body so that the contacts93--915 pass through the -side wall of the recess 09. The three contactsthus assure .the anchoring of the ring 90.

The multiple contact plate I6 may also consis-t of a molded member whichis substantially circular, and which has a cylindrical outer edge 91flush with the edges 21 and. of the parts I2 and II.

' Like the plate I5, the plate I9 is formed with a relatively small andshallow cylindrical recess 90 for receiving the other half 99 of therotor i9. The purpose of the shallow cylindrical recesses 00. 90 is .toact as bearings for rotatably supporting the rotor .disk I0. It is alsoformed with a cylindrical bore |00 at its center for passing the shaftI1 and permitting its rotation in this bore.

Multiple terminal plate I0 is also provided with a larger cylindricalrecess IBI4 surrounding the shallow recess 90 and forming a movablecontact chamber |02.

'I'he multiple contact plate I8 is shown in Fig. 5. and an annular wall|03, which surrounds .the larger annular reces-s IOI, has embedded in ita multiplicity of radially extending, equally spaced contacts |04. Thesecontacts have rounded inwardly extending end portions |05 located in thechamber |02 and projecting from the wall IOI of the recess.

The radially extending spaced contacts |04 are all an integral part andsupported by an annular member |01, only part of which is shown in Fig.5, and this enables the operator to pick up all :the contacts at onceand to hold them in proper position to be embedded in a molded part, orto beriveted, or otherwise secured to an insulating suplport. In thelatter case, the rivets would have to bepapplied to each part, whichmight be done by a riveting machine having multiple tools, but theoperator need not handle every contact separately. The radial contacts|04 also extend outwardly from the outer wall 91, and are preferably.provided with the punched oval apertures |00, by means of whichconductors are secured and soldered to .these terminals. At the timethese contacts I 04 are embedded in .the plate I0 they are all joined bya closed ring, a part of which is shown at |01 in Fig. 5, and thus the-contacts |04 for the mul-tiple contact plate I6 are all heid in theirproper position by the ring |01. 'Ihey may all be placed in the moldsimultaneously, and they will be automatic-ally located as desired.

After the part IIi has been completed and it is known Just how thecontacts are to be used, .the

member I6 may be placed in a die, and .the ring |01 may be sheared off,leaving the rounded end portions |08 on all of the contacts |04, andleaving the contacts all separated.

In other cases, where a simultaneous connection is to be made by severalcontacts, a portion, or portion-s, of :the ring |01 may be left on theouter ends of the contacts I 04. Thus two or three,

' -or more, of these contacts may be joined together,

or the contacts may all be separatedv by shearing olf the ring entirely.

'Ihe rotor I0 may consist of a pair of similar members 01 and 99,oppositely disposed, and located side by side to form a disk-likerot-or. Each of these members 91 and 99 comprises a disk of moldedinsula-ting material which is `formed with a generally cylindricalcentral aperture |09, but which also has the flat sides I I0corresponding to the shape of the flattened end por-tion 50 of the shaftI1.

The size of the two disks 81 and 99, in so far as diameter is concerned,is such that they are adapted to rotate Within the shallow recesses 86and 59. The thickness of these two disks 81 and 99 is such that whenthey flatly engage each other they fit Within the space provided forthem between the plates I5 and I6.

-Each of these disks 91 and 99 is formed with a groove III which is deepenough to house onehalf oi' the movable contact II2 (Fig. 2). Themovable contact II2 may be formed out of resilient metal, such as aPhosphor bronze or a reamarre sllient brass, and it consists of two.legs which are bent bach upon each other at the lli-bend M3.

Each oi these lees may consistera strip of metal of uniform width andthickness, except that each has a laterally projecting anchoringformation iid, and these anchoring formations are preferably on bothedges, thus giving the anchor part of the contact iid a cruciform shape.

The groove 6M is of complementary cruclorrn shape, so that one-half;` ofthe contact iid fits into each of the disks el and When the dislzs 8land @Si are held in engagement with each other, as shown in -Fig. 2, thecruciiorm end portion lle is firmly anchored between these two disks.

In addition to the anchoring portion liti of the contact H62, the twolegs of this contact prolect outwardly from the rotor i@ and are spreadapart from each other in the shape ot an acute V, as shown in Fig. 2, sothat-they come into engagement with the contact ring @il and also withthe inner ends lull of the multiple contacts The ends of the legs of thecontact lill form contact fingers ilaand iih and are preferably curvedtoward each other at a point lill. which may be midway between the edaesof the ring all so that the extreme ends of these legs project towardeach other. rlhe spread of the legs of contact il@ is slightly greaterthan the distance between the Contact @d and .the Contact terminals ldd,and this movable contact litresilientiy engages the common contact andany one of the multiple contacts Between each of the xed contactportions i635 the annular surface lil (Fig. 5) or the plate it ispreferably provided with a substantially rectangular recess ordepression lid. These depressions prevent short-circuit from contact iilto another contact 05 after a long period of use, when metal 'particlesmight be carried by the moving contact H2 across the surface ill insuilcient amount to metalize the surface. When, and if, that occurs, thecontacts E05 will, nevertheless, be separated byI a deilnite break atthe slots H8.

The housing i3, common contact plate i5, and

multiple contact plate Iii are all preferably provided with a.multiplicity; such as. for example, three, of registering aperturesils-Hl, located in the outer walls. of these members and nigularlyspaced from each other for receiving the screw bolts |22 which areprovided with nuts |23. A spring washer |24 is preferably included v inthe assembly, and any number of common contact plates i5 and multiplecontact plates I6 may be mounted together with a plurality of the bolts|22.

It is an important feature of the invention that the fixed andmovable'contacts are all enclosed in the chamber i02, which ispractically dustproof, and in which they are housed to protect themagainst damage in handling, shipping, using, assembling, etc. Inaddition to this, the chamber H12 permits the more satisfactory use of alubricant on the contacts and aviods the tendency of the lubricant tocatch dust, as in the case where open contacts are employed.

Although in Fig. 2 I show only one multiple contact plate IB, two orthree, or any number. may be added ina stack and actuated by a. commonshaft which, of course, should be of an appropriate length. Thus a greatmany rotary switches may be actuated by a common shaft.

The operation of the present rotary switch will be apparent from thedescription of its parts.

The same shaft [Il supports the indexer ill, therounded portions dl o1which cam the springpressed balls 232 outward until all the ballssimultaneously drop into the next groove, which is the next switchinglwsition.

The action of the springs and balls provides a snap action 'as well as adehnite position in which the switch is held. Since three spring-prsedballs are provided, there is no side thrust on the shaft, and thesprings exert a balanced action on the indexer and shaft.

My methodof making terminal plates or other switch members'fmay brieflybe summarized as follows: The multiple contacts which are to be used insuch a switch member are formed by a punching operation out ci a commonsheet' ci metal, with all of the contacts extending inwardly from anintegral metal ring which supports them. f

The contacts and this ring are placed in a rnold which is then filledwith a molding material, such as a phenolic condensation compound, inwhich the contacts are embedded. the supporting ring being'located inanother enclosed part of the mold, or projecting outwardly from themold. Heat and pressure are then applied until the molding material hasbecome solidified. The mold is removed, and then all, or such portionsof thesupportingmetal ring for the contacts as are desired. may beremoved by a punching oper- -ation.

. At the same time, the external ends of the terminals may be suitablyformed with a rounded end and/cr a punched aperture. Thus all ci.' themultiplicity of contacts may be simultaneously put in place in oneoperation. The handling of these small members is eliminated and thetedius labor of assembling such. a switch is greatlyreduced.

z It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved rotaryswitch and an improved method of manufacturing the same. Instead of thetedious labor which is involved in the devices of the prior art in theplacing of each' separate contact terminal, and the riveting or othersecurement of dach terminal to a post. all of the multiplicity otcontact terminals may be simultaneously in place by molding them in theterminal plate, after which the supporting ring which' held them inplace may be completely removed by a punching operation. or parts of itmay be removed to leave the contacts all separated, or leave some oi'them tied together.

In case the contacts are to be riveted to an insulating support insteadof being embedded in a. molded part, the present method still has veryimportant advantages. The operator can pick up and place all of theilxed contacts in one operation, and they are simultaneously held inplace to be secured by rivets or eyelets, or other suitable fasteningmeans. The operator need not pick up each of these contacts separately,and thus a great deal of time and labor is saved.

The present switch is adapted to maintain the position of its ilxedcontacts throughout its full life without any possibility of becomingloose. as in the case of riveted terminal contacts. The Job of assemblyof such a switch involves a mini- 9 mum amount of llabor, and may beaccomplished byunskilled labor.

Therefore, the switch may be produced at a very low cost, and it may besold at a price which is within the reach of a vast number of users.

Machine operations in the manufacture of this switch are reduced to anabsolute minimum, and the contacts can be manufactured by punching andstamping operations. The only machining which is required is thatinvolved in the formation of the shaft, its bushing, and the stop memberfor the indexer.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but de.- sire to avail myself of all changeswithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. An electric switch member comprising a molded insulating cup-shapedbody, a plurality of sheet metal contact members formed of an integralpiece of metal projecting radially inwardly through said body andexposed inside said body, a plurality of said contact members beingseparated from each other at their outer projecting ends which serve asconnectors, and others of said contact members being maintainedconnected by an annular sheet metal body member, a second moldedinsulating cup-shaped member having imbedded therein a sheet metalannular contact member provided with radially outwardly extendingcontact tongues, each of said cupshaped members having a small shallowcylindrical recess centrally located in its cup and provided with acentral bore, a rotor comprising a pair of insulating disks located insaid smaller recesses and engaging each other, a movable wiping contactfinger having an anchoring formation and a linger for engaging thefirst-mentioned inwardly projecting contacts of the first insulating cupmember, and a second finger for engaging the annular contacts of th'esecond-mentioned insulating member, said movable contact member havingits anchoring formations confined in a complementary recess between saiddisks, and means for securing said cup-shaped members together andsimultaneously holding said disks together and securing said movablecontact to said disks in the recess formed by said two cup-shapedmembers.

2. An electric switch comprising an insulating cup-shaped body, aplurality of sheet metal contact members formed of an integral piece ofmetal projecting radially inwardly through said body and exposed insidesaid body, said contact members being initially connected by an annularsheet metal supporting member which may be maintained as a connectionfor said contact members or severed from the contacts to render othercontact members independent of the others, a second insulatingcup-shaped member -having located therein a sheet metal annular contactmember provided with an outwardly extending radial contact tongue,eachof said cupshaped members having a small shallow cylindrical recesscentrally located in its cup and provided with a central bore, a rotorcomprising an insulating disc located in said smaller recesses, amovable wiping contact linger having a supporting flange and a fingerfor engaging the first-mentioned inwardly projecting contacts Of 10 thefirst insulating cup member, and a second linger for engaging theannular contact of the second-mentioned insulating member, said movablecontact member being secured to said disc to be rotated thereby, andmeans for securing said cup-shaped members together and for confiningsaid rotor in the recesses formed in said two cup-shaped members.

3. An electric switch comprising an insulating cup-shaped body, aplurality of sheet metal contact members formed of an integral piece ofmetal projecting radially inwardly through said body and exposed insidesaid body, said contact members being initially connected by an annularsheet metal supporting member which may be maintained as a connectionfor said contact members or severed from the contacts to render othercontact members independent of the others, a second insulatingcup-shaped member having located therein a sheet metal annular contactmember provided with an outwardly extending radial contact tongue, eachof said cupshaped members having a small shallow cylindrical recesscentrally located in its cup and provided with a central bore, a rotorcomprising an.insulating disc located in said smaller recesses, amovable wiping contact finger having a supporting flange and a fingerfor engaging the first-mentioned inwardly projecting contacts of thefirst insulating cup member, and a seco'nd finger for engaging theannular contact of the second-mentioned insulating member, said movablecontact member being secured to said disc to be rotated thereby, meansfor securing said cup-shaped members together and for confining saidrotor in the recesses formed in said two cupshaped members, and anactuating shaft passing through said central bore and through said rotorand having a pointer handle for rotating said shaft and rotor to actuatesaid switch.

4. An electric switch comprising an insulating cup-shaped body, aplurality of sheet metal contact members formed of an integral piece ofmetal projecting radially inwardly through said body and exposed insidesaid body, said contact members being initially connected |by an annularsheet metal supporting memberwhich may be maintained as a connection forsaid contact members or severed from the contacts to render othercontact members independent of the others, a second insulatingcup-shaped member having located therein a sheet metal annular contactmember provided with an outwardly extending radial contact tongue, eachof said cupshaped members having a small shallow cylindrical recesscentrally located in its cup and provided with a central bore, a rotorcomprising an insulating disc located in said smaller recesses, amovable wiping contact finger having a supporting ange and a finger forengaging the first-mentioned inwardly projecting contacts of the firstinsulating cup member, and a second linger for engaging the annularcontact of the second-mentioned insulating member, said movable contactmember being secured to said disc to be rotated thereby, means forsecuring said cup-shaped members together and for confining said rotorin the recesses formed in said two cupshaped members, an actuating shaftpassing through said central -bore and through said rotor and having apointer handle for rotating said shaft and rotor to actuate said switch,and an indexer for said switch, comprising a support to @www 31 il y besecured to sm@ switeh member, a, notched disc rotated by sszd shaft,@und a lomxmity of spying www@ STATES PATENTS messed balls engaging in.the notches @i am@ Number Nam@ me@ ise. 2,463,453 Weyhe? July 31, 1.9233s 2.399,9@6 Benley May 7, 1946 MY R. SIM'PSN. 2,433.9,459 SP'O fam. 22,194i? REFERENCES ECHTE@ WQREQN @Amm-S Th@ following reeremces me @E recmim the Nummer Country Date @Re of this patelmzl@ @rem Edwin July 4,93555

